Saying "Yes"

We are doing a Bible study at church that is wonderful! It is the book called, "What happens when women say yes to God" by Lysa Terkeurst. Week two & I'm loving it. This morning the thought that came to my head was, "God, you can count on me today." When you tell someone they can "count on you" what does that mean? It means you're making yourself available to them, and if they need anything you'll be there! That's right, that's what I'm saying to God today- whatever he needs (I mean needs done, like ministry wise), I want him to know he can call on me.

There are some verses I read in my devotions recently that ministered to me. Philippians 3:7-14
But whatever was to my profit I now consider loss for the sake of Christ. What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God and is by faith. I want to know Christ and the power of his resurrection and the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, and so, somehow, to attain to the resurrection from the dead.
Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.

I will be honest & tell you that there are many times when I wish we could live in a nice house. I pass lots of nice houses as I'm driving around town- and I'm not saying I want a fancy house, just a "pretty" house. The one we live in now is the same early 70-s ranch style house I grew up in. It is a blessing to be able to live here rent free (with my dad)- huge blessing! But it is not a pretty house- just blah. If we had extra money I would probably do some things to perk up the place up, but as it is I need to be satisfied with what we have. And when I see those "pretty" houses I have decided to consider them "rubbish" for the sake of following Christ!

Speaking of rubbish I will tell you that our family is beginning a journey into what's called "traditional foods" or "real foods" or "whole foods" (I said, "speaking of rubbish" because that is what a lot of "food" that you find in stores & restaurants are- if you can't pronounce an ingredient or don't know what it is, you shouldn't be ingesting it!). Did you see Michael Pollan on Oprah- well, I had already begun learning more about eating "real" before this- but it's a nice reinforcement that it happened this week. I am trying to eliminate all the processed/packaged food from our menus & making only wholesome old-fashioned food. Moving towards organic produce, meats, and dairy. I've already begun making our own bread, rolls, and today I will try tortillas! No refined sugars either! I don't know if I have a personal goal in this- but I know what I know about nutrition & the food available for purchase in the stores, and I am making choices that I think will enhance my family's health both now & in the long run.

There is a huge amount of support I have found on the web (blogs, yahoo groups) so that should help. I will let you know how it goes!

Thanks for your continued prayers for us as we wait on the Lord & expect great things in 2010! Mike is taking a team to Mexico in June. KaLia is saving money to go & I would love to be able to bring myself & Nate along also (put that ol' high school Spanish to use!) but with us also trying to have the funds to go to Rwanda (and stay for 9 months) in September, I am not sure if it is possible (or the Lord's will- not a lot of clarity on that yet). Pray with me regarding this & we'll see what happens. Who knows what God might do :)

Blessings,
Lisa

Welcome 2010

I have great faith & hope for 2010 to be an amazing year! The word God has spoken to me for 2010 is - MORE! Pastor was preaching 2 weeks ago and the question he asked was, "What does God have for you in 2010?" I really felt God speaking to my heart that what he wants for me & my family is MORE! What God has for us (all) is good & he is wanting to bring MORE THAN ENOUGH into our lives. More than enough healing, more than enough provision, more than enough joy, more than enough peace, more than enough support, more than enough of all that we need!

I believe God wants me to step out of the area of living in lack (what I call the land of LessThan) and into what he wants for me- the land of MoreThanEnough! My part in this is to seek his face, delight myself in him. He will grant me the desires of my heart, and he will do exceedingly & abundantly more than we can ask or think!

I am praying for more for my family- more health for my daughter (healthy choices & weight loss for child who wants to/needs to lose weight, a gentle transition into adolescence), more for my son (abilities beyond what he has now for a child placed in special ed), more togetherness as a family, more connections and love and respect to happen among family members. More of God's spirit working & moving through us. More of Jesus in me- me being more of a blessing to my family, more getting done at home, more connections at church, more! More of God's kingdom being displayed in our lives & being expanded through us!

Do you see a recurring theme here? :) This is what God wants for us too- more! This is not greed- this is saying, where we have allowed ourselves to live right now is *not* the "promised land" God has for us. We have settled for LessThan and it's time for us to move into MoreThanEnough! It is our rightful place - there's a spot there reserved for you!

Pray & believe with me for MORE for you too this year!
Amen! :)
Lisa